Husband of passenger on airplane that crashed speaks for the first time

The husband of a passenger on board American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a military helicopter mid-air before plunging into the Potomac River, has shared his devastating wish as he awaits news about his wife.

Hamaad Raza revealed in a heartbreaking interview that his wife, who was on the doomed jet, had texted him minutes before the catastrophe, saying “landing in 20 minutes.”.. Continue reading here ▶

Collision and rescue efforts

The plane, arriving from Wichita, Kansas, carried 60 passengers and four crew members, while the US Army Black Hawk helicopter carried three soldiers.

The two aircraft collided at DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night around 9pm local time, with all 64 passengers now feared dead.

Hamaad sensed trouble when his reply to his wife failed to send, stating, “I’m praying someone is pulling her from the river as we speak.”

Responders, including fireboats and various emergency agencies, rushed to the scene where the aircraft lay split in two in the icy Potomac River. Eighteen bodies have been recovered so far, and the search and rescue operation continues.

Investigation and official statements

Investigators are piecing together the aircrafts’ final moments before the collision, including their contact with air traffic controllers and a loss of altitude by the passenger jet.

Air traffic at the airport came to a standstill amid the emergency operations. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed that the incident had been brought to the attention of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

President Trump expressed his gratitude to the first responders for their “incredible work” and stated, “I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God bless their souls.”

American airlines and vice president’s response

Vice President Vance urged the public on X to “Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening.”

American Airlines released a statement acknowledging the incident:

“We’re aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, with service from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) has been involved in an incident. We will provide information as it becomes available.”

Footage from an observation camera at the nearby Kennedy Center shows two sets of lights, consistent with aircraft, merging in a fireball.